Football

Draft Day: Will Levis Mock Draft Roundup

Published

2 years ago

April 27, 2023

Since Mark Stoops arrived in Lexington in 2013, he has had 3 players, Bud Dupree, Josh Allen, and Jamin Davis, chosen in the First Round of the NFL Draft so far. This year he hopes to add Will Levis to that list.

Here is Will Levis’ draft projections and grades ahead of tonights 2023 NFL Draft.

Will Levis Projected Pick Selections

247Sports: 4th (Indianapolis Colts)

CBS Sports, Dan Schneier: 2nd (Houston Texans)

ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr: 4th (Indianapolis Colts)

NFL.com: 12th (Houston Texans)

PFF: 4th (Indianapolis Colts)

Sports Illustrated, SI.com: 12th (Houston Texans)

On the surface, Will Levis has been one of, if not, one of the most scrutinized quarterbacks coming out of college in recent memory. In this draft, he is considered the top quarterback by some, and he’s considered the fourth or fifth-best quarterback by others. According to PFF.com, Levis is the overall 7th-best prospect in this year’s draft.

Most notably, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has praised Will Levis since the start of the previous college football season. “Levis has a rocket launcher for an arm and makes some “wow” throws. That has gotten the Penn State transfer into trouble at times, but it’s clear watching him that he believes he can fit the ball into any window. My comparison for him is Matthew Stafford.”

Kentucky fans should expect to see Levis go off the draft board early on Thursday night, especially within the top ten. More than likely the team that selects Levis will plug him in and expect him to start day one. The Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders are all teams that have no QB for the future and have been linked to drafting Levis. The Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all quarterback-needy teams that could look to trade up into the top ten.

Will Levis has met with the following teams publicly: Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans.

When asked about how his pre-draft process has gone and having meetings with teams with the top picks, Levis said “Insane, not alot of people can say that. Whether or not they pick me..to have that experience is just very unreal.”

Rich Eisen said this is one of the “most wide open and least predictable” drafts that he can recall. It will be in interesting who takes a chance on Levis and where he lands. The Indianapolis Colts have been the leading favorite in drafting Levis with reports saying they prefer Levis over Florida QB Anthony Richardson at pick #4. But all of that could change.

The 2023 NFL Draft starts at tonight at 8 PM Eastern time.

Football

Two More Wildcats Eye NFL Futures

Two more Wildcats are receiving opportunities to accomplish their NFL dreams.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 10, 2025

Israel Schill

UK Athletics

Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson and kicker Alex Raynor are the latest Kentucky Wildcats aiming to make their mark in the NFL.

Go be great at the @Seahawks, @Derykjackson4. pic.twitter.com/ZHvVsVonNr— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 9, 2025

Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after impressing during the team’s rookie minicamp.

In his five seasons playing college football, Jackson amassed 216 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and five interceptions.

The former Kentucky standout and the teams leading tackler from 2022 and 2023 will now compete for a spot on the Seahawks final 53-man roster.

Raynor, meanwhile, received an invitation to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie camp, which runs May 9–11.

Go be great at the @Buccaneers, @acraynor1. pic.twitter.com/M8UOxK9rOm— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 8, 2025

The Kennesaw, Georgia, native made 25 of 27 field-goal attempts in two seasons with Kentucky, including a school-record 55-yarder.

His performance earned him SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2024 and a shot to prove himself at the next level.

With the addition of Jackson and Raynor to NFL rosters, the total number of Kentucky Wildcats now vying for a spot in the league has reached 10.

Football

Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Octavious Oxendine to CFL Deal

Published

2 weeks ago

May 8, 2025

Isaiah Pinto

UK Athletics

On Wednesday, it was officially announced that former Wildcats defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine agreed to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Oxendine becomes only the fifth player from Kentucky to take their talents up north. Those before him included fellow Roughrider Micah Johnson, Josh Ali of the Calgary Stampeders, Lynn Bowden of the BC Lions and Quandre Mosely Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Radcliff, Kentucky, native played five seasons in Lexington. Making 19 starts in 47 games played, Oxendine recorded 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.

In 2024, Oxendine appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats and made one start against Murray State, finishing his final season with a team-second best four sacks.

A key performance by Oxendine helped Kentucky defeat the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi, as the defensive lineman recorded three tackles and a career-high two sacks for a combined 10 yards lost. His first sack came on a third down play, forcing the Rebels to punt, and the second led to Ole Miss letting the clock run out to end the first half.

The standout performance led to Oxendine being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

In December 2024, Oxendine graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in social work. Additionally, the recent graduate was named the 2025 CATSPY Male Supporting Role Award.

Now in green, Oxendine will take the field with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they are set to kickoff the preseason on Saturday, May 24, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Football

Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent

Published

3 weeks ago

April 29, 2025

Israel Schill

John Clay | UK Athletics

Another Cat is heading to the NFL after defensive lineman Tre’vonn Rybka was signed by the Miami Dolphins in undrafted free agency on April 28, shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Go be great at the @MiamiDolphins, @trevonnrybka. pic.twitter.com/OkBHiubzyG— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 28, 2025

Rybka, who appeared in 48 games over five seasons with Kentucky, amassed 95 tackles including 5 sacks. As a senior, he started all 12 games, finishing with 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

He now joins a Dolphins defense that used their No. 13 pick in this year’s draft on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, meaning Rybka will have to compete for a roster spot in a deep defensive front rotation.

Off the field, Rybka, who was adopted by his grandparents as a child due to his mother’s battle with addiction, is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. He was awarded the “Big Ambassador of the Year” award in 2024 for his commitment to mentoring and supporting the youth.

His commitment to give back to the community and its youth reflects dedication to make a positive impact both on and off the football field.

Rybka will report to the Dolphins rookie camp on May 9-12, before he officially fights for a spot on the 53-man roster in June.